Contador Will Not Testify At Operacion Puerto Trial

MADRID, Feb 19, 2013 (AFP) – Former Tour de France winner Alberto Contador
will not testify at the “Operacion Puerto” trial in defence of Manolo Sainz,
his former manager at the Liberty Seguros cycling team, the defendant’s lawyer
confirmed on Tuesday.

Sainz is on trial along with four others, including the principal accused
Eufemiano Fuentes, for endangering public health by sanctioning blood
transfusions.

“Looking at how the process is developing, I will not call Alberto Contador
as a witness,” Ignacio Arroyo told reporters.

Contador was due to testify on Friday, but Arroyo claimed his decision not
to call the Spaniard was a sign that the case was going well for his client.

“Looking at how things are developing every day during the case, I believe
that certain things are on the right path with respect to my client.”

On Monday the court heard that the doping substance Synacthen found in his
residence when he was arrested along with Fuentes in 2006 was in fact given to
the team by the Spanish Medical Agency.

In another twist in the trial, though, the judge, Julia Patricia
Santamaría, confirmed that another cyclist due to testify on Friday, Angel
Vicioso, cannot be located.